Drivers have been advised that the eastbound exit slip at junction 12 for Runcorn is to close for up to five weeks for Mersey Gateway works.

The route will be shut from Monday, October 12.

A Mersey Gateway project spokesman said the slip road has to be closed in order to allow construction workers to safely develop part of the route that will connect the traffic travelling between Halton and the M56 motorway.

He said the Merseylink consortium and Halton Borough Council have worked with Highways England to plan the works, keep potential disruption to a minimum and set up an official diversion.

The alternative route will take eastbound traffic to junction 11, before directing drivers back to junction 12, on to the westbound exit slip from the motorway and then in towards Runcorn and Widnes or south towards Frodsham.

Work on the roundabout at junction 12 at Clifton in Runcorn.

Drivers will still be able to join the M56 at junction 12 in both directions.

Hugh O’Connor, Merseylink general manager, said: “This is a temporary but essential closure to allow us to safely link the M56 eastbound slip road at junction 12 to the improved road network we are developing in the area.

“We’ve been working closely with Highways England and Halton Borough Council to plan this closure and closing the road completely will allow us to deliver this element of the work as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton Council and chairman of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “I know this closure will cause inconvenience for some people, but it is important to remember that the end result of the Mersey Gateway Project will be much more reliable and also faster journeys between the M56 and M62 and heading to and from almost anywhere in Halton.

“I’d like to thank everyone for continuing to drive safely through the roadworks whilst the works are ongoing.”